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7 perfect fall foliage drives for taking in the scenery

"Peak color" can be elusive, but you don't have to get your timing exactly right to enjoy fall foliage. And Americans also don't have to travel too far to get somewhere where nature is putting on an autumnal show.

The changing season is never quite so visually striking as it is in the fall, when late summer greens become yellows, oranges and reds.

If you're wondering when the best time to visit your foliage destination will be, check out this fall foliage map for 2015, which predicts when leaves will be at peak pretty across the U.S.

Route 3, Maine

Maine is a gorgeous destination any time of the year.

Sunlight through the autumn leaves over Crystal Lake in Gray, Maine.

Image: FrameworthyFotography by Thadd, Getty Images

Starting in Portland, head north on U.S. 1 and be prepared for a long, slow, gorgeous ride. Maine's Route 3 will take you around Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, and head to the top of Cadillac Mountain for picture-perfect views.

Interstate 295 will get you to Acadia faster, but staying on 1 will ensure you're fully satisfied with your foliage-focused trip.

Bar Harbor — on the island — is a great destination for lobster. Rates for accommodations go down in the fall, as its shoulder season (and requires a jacket).

Route 100, Vermont

About 80% of Vermont is forested, making most of the state a great place to see the colors change.

Image: Ron and Patty Thomas, Getty Images

Starting in Killington, Vermont, head north on Route 100, to Route 73 West. Head to the Mt. Horrid Observation Site for views that are anything but horrid.

Vermont is one of the more popular leaf destinations, so if you want to go, don't wait to plan. Hotels and inns fill up quickly and rates can be quite high.

Route 30, New York

The Adirondacks have all kinds of outside activities to go along with beautiful natural colors.

Route 30 is a scenic byway in the Adirondacks, which boasts one of the longer fall foliage periods.

Route 35, Indiana

About half way between Indianapolis and Louisville, Brown County State Park is a great autumn destination.

U.S. Highway 441, Tennessee

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which covers more than 500,000 acres across Tennessee and North Carolina, is the largest national park in the country and one of the prettiest in the fall. U.S. Highway 441 goes right through the park, and provides so many lookout points you could spend an entire day driving through.

Tennessee forest and mountains at dusk.

Image: Ron and Patty Thomas, Getty Images

Take a detour half way through the park to Clingmans Dome, the highest peak on the East Coast.

Starting in Gatlinburg, make sure the gas tank is full, and head south into the park.

Highway 61, Minnesota

Highway 61 from Duluth to Grand Portage will give you great fall views from mid-September to early October. The North Shore "All-American Road" goes along Lake Superior.

Image: MYDinga, Getty Images

The route is popular with fall color fans, according to the state tourism board, and passes several state parks that offer waterfalls, hiking trails and overlooks.

If you're headed there at the peak, be sure to reserve a hotel ahead of time.

U.S. Route 34, Colorado

Route 34 crosses through Rocky Mountain National Park and makes for a great fall drive.

To start from Denver, head west on Interstate 70, then north on Colorado Route 119 and 72 until you get to Estes Park.

To make it a loop, take U.S. Route 34 west from Estes Park, then head east on U.S. Route 40

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